Chinese Scientists Engineer Non Noble Metal Catalyst Achieving High Durability and Selectivity for Industrial Brine Electrolysis

Chinese researchers develop a cerium-doped cobalt oxide catalyst for the chlor-alkali process, achieving high stability and industrial-level performance.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 6:19 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

Advancing Sustainable Industrial Chlorine Production

A research team led by Professor Yin Huajie at the Institute of Solid State Physics has announced the development of a high performance electrode catalyst designed for chlor alkali electrolysis. This process, which is fundamental to the global chemical industry for producing chlorine and caustic soda, relies heavily on the efficiency of the chlorine evolution reaction. By creating a catalyst that balances high activity with long term structural stability, the researchers have addressed a primary challenge in brine electrolysis, where anodic materials must survive exceptionally harsh and corrosive operating conditions.

Strategic Molecular Design via Cerium Doping

The breakthrough involves the introduction of atomically dispersed cerium into a spinel cobalt oxide matrix, specifically engineered with a three dimensionally ordered macroporous structure. Technical characterization of the material revealed that the cerium atoms successfully occupy octahedral cobalt sites, which induces a localized structural distortion. This intentional irregularity creates undercoordinated cobalt active centers that are uniquely capable of directly adsorbing chloride ions, a critical step in initiating the chemical transformation required for industrial chlorine production.

Relocating Active Sites for Enhanced Stability

By utilizing in situ characterization and density functional theory calculations, the researchers discovered that the addition of cerium shifts the active site of the catalyst. Traditionally, these reactions often center around oxygen, which can lead to lattice oxygen corrosion and material degradation. The cerium doping relocates the active site to a cobalt centered configuration, which not only optimizes the adsorption of chloride ions but also effectively suppresses the corrosive processes that typically shorten the lifespan of industrial electrodes.